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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think your life must be pretty empty if you're celebrating Christmas already?

427 replies

MerryMarigold · 02/12/2018 13:45

Maybe it's me, but I think 2 weeks before Christmas and one week after, is ample time to have your tree/ lights up, be watching Christmas films (if you're that way inclined), listen to Christmas songs, have Christmas nights out/ dress up in Christmas jumpers etc. This weekend my Facebook has been inundated with 'Look at my lovely tree' statuses and today I've just driven past about 30 Santas power walking, my kids are begging me to get a tree up (which will be dead by Christmas). I just think you need to enjoy life now and not always be looking forward to the next celebration.

AIBU and a miserable git, or do i have a point?

OP posts:
Abra1de · 02/12/2018 15:44

... until Christmas Eve if you are being hardcore.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/12/2018 15:45

I miss those too, morningtoncrescent.

I do feel sorry for retail staff, it must be excruciating. I did say 'if it doesn't impact on others' and actually, it does.

My husband has Christmas channel on as soon as it emerges in October. He and he kids are twinkling away at each other, delighting in the US Christmas schmaltz... and I have my headphones in watching Ultimate Force or Die Hard.

Howhot · 02/12/2018 15:47

It's never too early for someone else to put their tree up, no. It is up to you what you do. I put mine up yesterday. Usually it's mid December. Regardless of how early or late I put my tree up, I always take it down around 27th. I feel like it's cluttering things up beyond Christmas Day so the earlier I put it up the longer I get to enjoy it

Funnyface1 · 02/12/2018 15:52

Did you really start a thread to just say horrible things about people? And if people do have empty lives, why is it ok for you to make fun of that?

Grow up. I should feel sorry for you, but I don't actually.

DistanceCall · 02/12/2018 15:55

Why does it bother you so much what other people enjoy?

PyongyangKipperbang · 02/12/2018 15:56

I dont put ours up until the 21st as DD has her birthday on the 19th so I always have a day clear before the decs go up so she doesnt feel it is swallowed up in Xmas.

But I wouldnt be putting them up until 2 weeks before at the most, I dont judge people who do put them up but I do wonder.....dont they lose their "specialness" when they are up for nearly a month before the 25th? They just become part of the normal decor after a few days I would think, or they would for me.

southnownorth · 02/12/2018 15:57

Yes your right my life is empty.

SilverDoe · 02/12/2018 16:00

Lol what? I have a very happy life with a lovely partner and little babes who are very excited about Christmas - I also love winter and the lights. What a sad judgemental thing to think.

Sparklingbrook · 02/12/2018 16:00

Everyone can do what they like. No need for all the defensiveness is there?

No need to justify yourself to anyone let alone the OP over what you choose to do for Christmas.
It's like they have touched a nerve.

BlaaBlaaBlaa · 02/12/2018 16:01

Yes you're right - what with having a 4 year old, working full time and managing a hectic social life I had to put the tree up today just to give me something to do.

Cromercrab · 02/12/2018 16:03

I think it's too early to put decs up in the house, but enjoy the street lights and gradual ramping up of festive what-not in shops and cafes, etc. It's also a helpful prompt to pull my finger out and get menus planned, wine bought, presents organised and so on! (I have been doing that from the sofa this afternoon...). But I like to defer decorating the house until around 19/20th and the tree doesn't go up until 23/24. For one thing, I like to give everything a damn' good clean and get any odd jobs done before the round of visits and mammoth cooking and eating sessions begins.

But, you know, whatever makes you happy...

LucheroTena · 02/12/2018 16:05

Ours will go up next weekend to try and avoid the tree getting saggy. As long as you water and keep away from rads though they last until new year. Probably been felled some weeks ago anyway.

I like to see people’s lights and the general festivities. Nothing wrong with a bit of brightness and fun in these gloomy months. All of Dec dedicated to Christmas is fine by me.

I feel sorry for shop staff though, xmas music from early Nov is too much. Then before it’s arrived the shop is cleared and sales promotions start.

YoureAMeanOneMrGrinch · 02/12/2018 16:07

It's a season that brings joy, why would we not try to enjoy and spread that from the start of the month?

SilverDoe · 02/12/2018 16:08

SparklingBrook I think it’s because it’s a very mean thing to say. I do regret putting forward a description of my own life as some sort of “justification” for the shitty OP but I just think it’s so mean.

Maybe people don’t have much to look forward to, maybe for some Christmas is the only time of year people make effort to be involved with them or see them. Maybe they’re trying to enjoy the festivities because Christmas is a stressful time for them and they’re trying to focus on the things they enjoy instead of perhaps worrying about the cost etc. It’s just a very horrible sentiment that has irked me a lot.

To me it’s akin to say, “AIBU to think if you’re poor your life must be pretty empty” - not only is it offensive to people who are poor but have made the best of their situation, as well as deeply hurtful to people who are poor and have an empty life. Why would you in essence brag about the fact that those circumstances (having an “empty life”) don’t apply to you?

I’m sorry to go off on a ramble but I really strongly dislike people who say things like this IRl, let alone put it out on the internet for all sorts of people to read, on a forum aimed at parents, who might be feeling the strain of Christmas anyway.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 02/12/2018 16:09

I work in a primary school so Christmas number one starts tomorrow! Once we break up I head to family and Christmas number 2!

gingergenius · 02/12/2018 16:09

Well aren't you s peach!? Confused

bobstersmum · 02/12/2018 16:09

It's only once a year. My life is far from empty. We put the tree up yesterday and we have had a lovely weekend with the kids, it feels so cosy and festive.

Arrowfanatic · 02/12/2018 16:11

Ours usually go up the first weekend in December. My birthday is 30th November so since as long as I can remember it's always been "No decorations until Arrows birthday is over".

That said this weekend we've been slammed so it hasn't been done so will probably be next weekend now.

Personally I love Christmas, and the lights, and my kids stage school goes around care homes and places like singing Christmas songs dressed as Victorian children and it's all just such a nice time.

I don't especially understand why anyone would put decorations up in November, but it doesn't affect me if they do. I'm sure those that do just do it because they like them.

WinterfellWench · 02/12/2018 16:11

YABVVVU to judge people as having empty lives because they have their tree, and decorations, and lights up already. How rude Hmm

Bah humbug @MerryMarigold Hmm

kateandme · 02/12/2018 16:14

nope your wrong.sorry.had the tree up this week for over 30 years not had one close to dying yet!

Wauden · 02/12/2018 16:14
Biscuit
Wellwhoopdedo · 02/12/2018 16:15

Ahhhh OP! My dh had a miserable, horrid childhood and so, as an adult, he goes to town on Christmas in a way his mother would have never let him! Hes like an excitable child, he adores it because he fully appreciates the family he has now and is determined to make up for the misery of his past.
Is that someone with an empty life? Or someone who now has a very full life feeling thankful for his own little family and wanting to enjoy it?

I know the answer. I love that he loves it so much. Even though I have to ban him from putting decks up in November though Grin

Wellwhoopdedo · 02/12/2018 16:17

Oh, and Merry Christmas! [santa]

blackcat86 · 02/12/2018 16:19

You are a miserable git (well you did ask). Our 15 week old special care baby loves lights so today DH has done the tree, inside and outside lights for her. We don't really give two hoots what anyone else thinks. We're lucky to have her alive, home and well so if she can look at it and have a smile and a babble then it's well worth it for her first Xmas.

PiperPublickOccurrences · 02/12/2018 16:21

How long does it take people to "put a tree up" if they literally don't have time to do it between now and Christmas Eve???

We have one of those annoying trees which has to be slotted together in the right, colour-coordinated order. Even given that hassle, and the decorating, it takes an hour tops. I do not believe that people are SO busy with making wreaths or whatever that they have to do it NOW because they literally won't have a free hour between now and then. If you were truly comfortable with wanting to put up your tree early then just say so - why come out with the "so busy" routine?

Anyone who doesn't love Christmas is dead inside and can fuck off!

Charming. Lots of people dislike the annual tat-fest for a whole host of reasons. Most of them are most definitely not "dead inside".

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